Giorgio Locatelli at the National Gallery

Locatelli National Gallery

London’s dynamic food scene never stands still, with exciting new restaurants opening almost on a weekly basis. From fine dining to casual cafes, the capital continues to attract top chefs and creative newcomers alike. These seven latest openings promise to serve up something special.

1.Seventy Five at Liberty

Seventy Five at Liberty, London

Liberty

The name of Seventy Five at Liberty is a tribute to the famous department store’s founding in 1875. Tucked away on the second floor of Liberty, the lovely new restaurant headed by Joe Holness (formerly of Da Terra and Fera at Claridge’s) features a seasonal, locally sourced Modern British menu. Highlights on a recent menu included moreish gnocchi with wild mushrooms; hake with mussel sauce and leeks and a divine dessert, milk chocolate mousse with cherries. The service is stellar and the bright, airy room is as gorgeously designed as you’d expect. Arts and crafts influences are combined with contemporary design. Bold Liberty prints and layered fabrics in warm color palettes of burgundy, pinks and green create an inviting dining environment.

2.Bubala, King’s Cross

Bubala restaurant, London

Bubala

This is the third Bubala restaurant for the popular plant-based (almost vegan) is now open in trendy Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross. Every dish is a highlight, from the baba ganoush with curry leaf oil and pine nuts to cucumbers with tahini and chilli cucumber chilli to Jerusalem artichokes, ras el hanout and miso. Be sure to save room for the insanely delicious desserts including salted caramel chocolates and the coconut tahini fudge.

3.Locatelli at the National Gallery

The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in London.

getty

One of the world’s most respected Italian chefs Giorgio Locatelli oversees Locatelli, the new restaurant at the National Gallery, along with Bar Giorgio, an espresso and maritozzi bar. Located on the mezzanine level of the Sainsbury Wing which has reopened following a two-and-a-half-year transformational renovation and rehang in the galleries, the 80-seater restaurant and bar offers guests a unique opportunity to experience Chef Giorgio’s celebrated Italian cooking. And opening on the ground floor is Bar Giorgio, ideal for visitors looking for a quick caffeine fix before or after exploring the excellent new galleries. Following the announcement of the closure of their eponymous, Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli which he ran for over 20 years with his wife Plaxy, this new National Gallery venture represents the much-anticipated next chapter for the lauded chef. Be sure to try one of the five delicious pasta dishes including Tagliatelle al ragu, or one of the excellent steak, fish or chicken dishes.

4.Town, Covent Garden

Cod and clam curry at Town, London

Charlie McKay

Town is Chef Stevie Parle’s first big restaurant opening since Joy. His new Covent Garden restaurant is focused around British products and is the first restaurant serving wild-farmed beef—from its own herd of 100% grass-fed cows. Tempting dishes include: Tempura sage leaves drizzled in chilli and honey from their own bees; Crudo, tomato water and Todoli grapefruit; Romney Marsh hogget with Chianti and anchovy butter and Welsh lobster with lardo. Even the vegetable curry has a Modern British twist with the addition of rhubarb.

5. 3 Gorges, Fitzrovia

3 Gorges, London

3 Gorges

3 Gorges, a slick new 80-cover, three floor, contemporary, elegant Hubei and Cantonese restaurant is helmed by Chef Qian, one of London’s top Cantonese chefs. Qian was recently Head Chef at Gouqi on Cockspur Street, one of the few Chinese restaurants in the UK to hold a Michelin Star. Menu highlights include the decadent ­lobster pot, black truffle duck rolls and king crab noodles and scallops with glass noodles in XO sauce.

6.Bancone, Kensington

Caramello, Bancone’s twist on the creme caramel

Milly KR & Jade Sarkhel

The fourth location for the popular Italian restaurant Bancone offers the winning formula of the other locations: fresh pasta made by hand every day. Menu highlights include: Silk handkerchiefs, walnut butter and confit egg yolk; spicy pork and nduja ragù with tagliatelle and melt in your mouth Gnocchi with roasted tomato and smoked stracciatella. A moreish vegan dessert is a twist on a creme caramel, made with coconut milk, coffee and toasted buckwheat.

7.Mareida, Fitzrovia

This restaurant unites some top Chilean chefs, including one voted best female chef in Latin America, to highlight the food and drink from the country). From coast to mountains, Mareida brings a fresh take on Chilean cuisine to London, adding bold modern twists to the menu. Founded by Prenay Agarwal, the Chilean team includes Head Chef Trinidad Vial Della Maggiora, Chef Carolina Bazán, voted Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2019 by the World’s 50 Best and Sommelier, Rosario Onetto. Menu highlights include Corn pie with poached eggs and lamb; Mussels, charcoal shells, and fennel and Crab cake gratin.